Pedernales Electric is now accepting entries in the 2009 Youth Tour Contest. All participants will receive a 64-megabyte flash drive just for entering. PEC’s Green Works initiative and the 100th birthday of Lyndon B. Johnson are the inspiration for this year’s contest. During his presidency, LBJ signed into law almost 300 pieces of environmental legislation. PEC’s Green Works initiative encourages environmental responsibility, conservation activities and use of renewable technologies. With that in mind, contestants will write a Congressional “bill” that would help preserve the environment for future generations.

“The Youth Tour Contest is one way we support education in our communities,” said PEC Communications Manager Michael Racis. “Our Green Works initiative is a natural starting point to encourage students to think creatively about preserving the environment. They’ll develop their communication skills, and winners will earn a great trip for their efforts.”

Six PEC winners will join other students from across the nation for a nine-day expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. They will tour many historical sites, including Mount Vernon, Tomb of the Unknowns, Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court, the Lincoln Memorial and the museums of the Smithsonian Institution. Students who have completed their sophomore, junior or senior year by June 2009, and whose parents or legal guardians are PEC members, are eligible to enter.

Twelve semifinalists will present their “bills” to the three judges at the Texas White House, LBJ’s residence in Stonewall. Two judges are speech and communication professionals, and one is a member of the Johnson family. The six top-ranked students will receive the trip to D.C., and the remaining six students will be alternates.

The deadline for submission is Oct. 24, 2008, at 5 p.m. Details and an entry form are available at www.pec.coop, participating schools, any PEC office or by calling toll-free, 1-888-554-4732.

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